Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandi Seltzer Bryant
Hi sandi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I always wanted to be an artist at a very early age. I just did not know what that meant.
Growing up in Pittsburgh I was exposed to numerous art classes.and private lessons.
Every three years I experienced The Carnegie International Exhibition at the Carnegie Museum of Art I .was able to immerse myself in Americas longest running survey of International art.
Also, I traveled to New York City frequently and wandered the museums with anticipation as I turned each corner in awe of the next art object.
I have been a full-time, working studio artist since graduating from Carnegie Mellon University in 1974, with a degree in painting. I have lived in many cities and been part of the art communities in each one. In the Washington area as I was one of the first to have a studio at the Arlington Arts Center now named Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Others cities in which I lived and worked are Minneapolis ,Gainesville, Palo Alto, and Tilburg, the Netherlands.
Since 1981 my home base has been Houston. Moving here with my two-year-old daughter and my late husband John after he became a professor at Rice University.
I have had continuous representation in Houston with; McMurtrey Gallery for 34 years and currently Hooks-Epstein Galleries the past 10 years.
My art has been exhibited and represented in numerous galleries and showcased in exhibits in the US and abroad. I am collected in private, public and museum collections. I have been active in the thriving Houston art community, serving on many boards, including Lawndale Art Center, Houston Art League, Art in the City, Women’s Caucus for Art, and Houston Greeters. My contribution in the early years is captured in Peter Gershon’s book Collision: The Contemporary Art Scene in Houston, 1972 -1985.
Also, I have been archived by the University of Houston Libraries Special Collections.
In my more than my 50 year art career, I have championed the necessity of safe, affordable, working art studio space. Empowered by the opportunity to work with developer Jon Deal, I served as the key founding artist in establishing Winter Street Studios. This artist complex subsequently blossomed into the now vibrant Sawyer Yards campus.It has grown to serve as a workspace for over 300 creatives. My 18 month journey to bring this mission to fruition was chronicled in the 2015 catalogue,
THE ORIGINALS: A Celebration of the 10 Year Anniversary of Winter Street Studios.
During the Covid period I was able to work in my studio as it was a safe space, producing a substantial body of work.
On December 23, 2022 my art career dramatically paused. At the opposite end the building a arson attack caused extensive fire and smoke damage to all the studios. For the next 18 months the building underwent substantial reconstruction. Unfortunately, three fourths of my art work and supplies were destroyed.
Beginning in late October 2023 I was back in my studio being creative once again.
My art is most closely linked to the abstract expressionist tradition. I have garnered significant inspiration from my travels abroad. While living in Holland, I took notice of the unusual papers into which purchases were wrapped. I began collecting and including them via collage into my art.. From that point on, I had a mission of collecting hand-made papers in the many countries I have traveled. This began my series of “Collage Paintings”,
I am currently looking forward to exhibiting my newest series opening April 5th through May 3 2025 at Hooks-Epstein Galleries , Houston ,Texas.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The creation of art is always filled with challenges and obstacles.
I prefer to view them as opportunities .
Three significant events are Covid , the studio fire and the long illness and death of my husband John.
In addition , I have had multiple negative experiences dealing with unscrupulous gallery owners.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In my newest series I explore themes of growth, transformation, and discovery through dynamic collage paintings. Drawing inspiration from the layering of experiences, cultural textures, and global travels—most recently through Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet—the exhibition reflects my creative evolution.
Through In Bloom, I collect and integrate visual memories and materials from different cultures, weaving them into richly layered compositions. Influenced by the intricate textures of textiles and handmade papers, my works intuitively, allowing each piece to build upon the last, creating depth, movement, and connection.
At the core of the series is a fascination with humanism in an era of globalization. By embracing both cultural differences and shared experiences, My goal is to invite viewers to engage in a visual dialogue that celebrates the vitality of the human spirit.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Doing the work!! The work comes from the work. There are no shortcuts.
Pricing:
- range from$ 500-$20,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sandiseltzerbryant.com
- Instagram: sandi seltzer
- Facebook: sandi seltzer bryant
- Other: https://www.hooksepsteingalleries.com
